Unit information: Research Skills 1 in 2019/20

Unit name	Research Skills 1
Unit code	CENGM0061
Credit points	10
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Professor. Thorsten Wagener
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Civil Engineering
Faculty	Faculty of Engineering

Description including Unit Aims

This unit lays the foundation for academic writing, management and communication skills that underpin the programme modules that follow. It provides a basic introduction to academic work including:

• Accessing scientific literature, including techniques to identify suitable scientific papers and quickly identify and extract relevant information

• Writing and visualisation skills to support presentation of written work at a postgraduate level

• Organisational and management skills.

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module, the successful student will be able to:

M1.1 Search for, collate and synthesize relevant scientific information, using the library and online search engines;

M1.2 Read, interpret and critique academic and technical literature;

M1.3 Present the results of their work using appropriate oral or written methods and visualisation techniques.

Teaching Information

The teaching in this unit comprises formal lectures interspersed with seminars and group work.

Assessment Information

This unit will be assessed by a written report (60%) and a powerpoint presentation (40%). Formative feedback is provided throughout the unit during the seminars and group work.

Reading and References

Cutts, M. (2013), The Oxford Guide to Plain English, 4th edition, OUP (earlier editions also suitable)

Weyers, J. and McMillan, K. (2011), How to write essays and assignments, 2nd edition, Prentice Hall, 0273743813

Ramsey Fowler, H. and Aaron, J.E. (2014) The Little, Brown Handbook, 12th edition, Pearson, (earlier editions also suitable)